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Overview: There is widespread public interest — at times, almost reaching a frenzied level — in the relationship between diet and physical and mental wellbeing. (Consider, for example, recent trends in gluten-free diets.)

One fascinating ongoing area of research explores the concept of the “microbiome” — i.e. the role that gut bacteria may play in health and illness — including potential effects on mental health and illness. This topic has gained growing attention through recent coverage in the New York Times Magazine: “Can the Bacteria in your Gut Explain Your Mood?” (1) and National Public Radio: “Prozac in the Yogurt Aisle: Can ‘Good’ Bacteria Chill us Out?” (2). Given the widespread media coverage, there are many options available for class discussion. The following session is designed to explore this topic using a fun article that appeared in the New Yorker… enjoy!